Frances Louise Thomas Drapeaux was born December 4, 1933, in Yazoo City, MS, to Joe Lewis and Fannie Elizabeth (Leiest) Thomas, and she left this life on December 26, 2011.

Frances grew up in Mississippi and move to San Diego, CA in 1952, where she met and married her husband, Luckie Virgil Drapeaux, to which three daughters were born.

In 1961 they moved to Lancaster where she was a great stay at home mother. Later they owned and operated Sioux Electronic. In 1972 they won the Urban Indian Small Business Award of the Year. In 1974 the family moved to Wagner, SD, and later on they moved to Hot Springs, SD, where they have lived since. While in Hot Springs she was the Kitchen Manager for Lutheran Hospital and then owner of Luckie Black Hills Gold. After retiring, they became snow birds for 17 years, spending winters in Apache Junction, AZ. She enjoyed her kids and grandkids in the summertime.

Frances is survived by her husband of 55 years, Luckie Drapeaux; daughter, Wendy Woolsey both of Hot Springs; nine grandkids; 20 great-grandkids; sister, Rosine (Joe) Kelly of Maryland; several nieces and nephews and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, James Thomas and William 'Buddy' Thomas, and two daughters, Rose Rouse and Syndee Adair.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, December 29, 2011, at McColley's Chapel of the Hills in Hot Springs with Pastor Morris Nelson officiating. A luncheon at the American Legion will follow the memorial service.

Arrangements have been placed in the care of McColley's Chapel of the Hills in Hot Springs. Written condolences can be made at www.mccolleyschapels.com.